Method of diecutting a blank

ABSTRACT

A method of diecutting a blank having a plurality of projections extending along one side edge thereof and an outwardly extending protrusion along the opposite side edge thereof and disposed intermediate tapered end portions along the said opposite side edge, the method comprising arranging a die so that the blanks are cut from a web in aligned rows with the blanks of each row disposed in the same orientation and with the rows arranged in pairs of rows. Each blank in each row is arranged so that the outwardly extending projections along one side edge thereof occupy all of the cutaway areas between the outwardly extending projections of a nested blank in the other row of each pair of blanks. The blanks in corresponding rows of alternate pairs of rows are disposed in transverse alignment with each other so that a single course of articles in a direction transverse of the web from which blanks are cut may be cut and detached from the remaining portion of the web simultaneously.

Unite [72] Inventor Prentice J. Wood Jonesboro, Ga. [21] Appl. No. 872,289 [22] Filed Oct. 29, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 17, 1971 [73] Assignee The Mead Corporation [54] METHOD OF DIECUTTING A BLANK 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 83/32, 83/43, 83/48, 83/55, 93/58 [51] lot. Cl 1331b 1/20 [50] Field otSearch 83/32, 43, 46, 48, 55, 56; 93/58, 58.2, 58.3

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 935,826 10/1909 Taylor 83/46 1,274,605 8/1918 Russell 83/46 Primary Examiner-William S. Lawson Attorney-Walter M. Rodgers ABSTRACT: A method of diecutting a blank having a plurality of projections extending along one side edge thereof and an outwardly extending protrusion along, the opposite side edge thereof and disposed intermediate tapered end portions along the said opposite side edge, the method comprising arranging a die so that the blanks are cut from a web in aligned rows with the blanks of each row disposed in the same orientation and with the rows arranged in pairs of rows. Each blank in each row is arranged so that the outwardly extending projections along one side edge thereof occupy all of the cutaway areas between the outwardly extending projections of a nested blank in the other row of each pair of blanks. The blanks in corresponding rows of alternate pairs of rows are disposed in transverse alignment with each other so that a single course of articles in a direction transverse of the web from which blanks are cut may be cut and detached from the remaining portion of the web simultaneously.

PATENTEDAUB 1 1 m 3. 599,520

sum 1 [1F 2 I INVENTOR PRENTICE J. WOOD ATTORNEY PATENTED AUG I 7 IQTI sum 2 or g INVENTOR PRENTICE J. WOOD BY M ATTONEY METHOD OF DIIECUTTING A BLANK Where blanks of a special construction are provided with three or more projecting portions along a side edge thereof, it has been the practice to arrange the cutting die so that the projections of each blank of each row nest with projections in an oppositely disposed blank of an adjacent row and the blanks of one row are staggered in the direction of feed of the web so that a particular blank of one row nests with a pair of adjacent blanks in the other row. Due to this particular orientation of the cutting surfaces of a die, it has been difficult to separate a course of blanks disposed transversely of the web simultaneously from the remaining portions of the web and this fact has resulted in delay and inefficiency in the cutting of such special type blanks.

According to this invention, an improved method of diecutting is provided wherein all of the cutaway areas interposed between projections of one blank are effectively filled by the outwardly extending nested projections of an adjacent blank so that there is no possibility for a hang-up of a course of blanks with the remaining portions of the web of material.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article carrier in which transverse and medial partition structure is incorporated, such partition structure being formed from a special blank which is cut by the improved method of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the special blank used in forming the partition structure used in the carton of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a blank such as depicted in FIG. 2 and which has been arranged so that its parts occupy the positions depicted in FIG. I, i.e., a setup condition; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a sheet or web of material on which the nested relationship of the various pairs of rows of blanks is depicted according to this invention.

In the drawings the article carrier depicted in FIG. ll comprises a sidewall l which is oppositely disposed from a sidewall 2. End wall panels 3 and 4 are foldably joined respectively along fold lines 5 and 6 to end edges of sidewalls l and 2. End wall panel 7 is foldably joined along fold line 8 to an end edge of sidewall 1. The remaining end wall panel is not visible in FIG. 1 because it is obstructed by the handle structure generally designated by the numeral 9. A conventional bottom wall is incorporated in the carton but does not appear in the drawings. interposed between the handle structure 9 and each of the sidewalls l and 2 is a partition structure generally designated in FIG. 1 by the numeral 10.

Partition structure generally designated by the numeral 10 is formed from the blank designated generally by the numeral 10 in FIG. 2. The blank of FIG. 2 comprises a central panel 11 and side edges 12 and 13. An outwardly extending projection 14 is formed along the side edge 12 of the blank and outwardly extending protrusion 15 is formed along the opposite side edge 13 of the blank 10. Disposed along the edges of central panel 11 are the panels designated by the numerals l6 and 17. Panel 16 is foldably joined to panel ll along fold line 18 while panel 17 is foldauly joined to panel 11 along fold line 19. Outwardly extending projections 20 and 21 are formed on the side edge 12 of blank 10 and constitute extensions of panels 16 and 17 respectively.

For the purpose of securing the partition structure such as shown in FIG. 3 to the sidewalls of the carrier such as sidewall l, a pair of glue flaps 28 and 22 are foldably joined to panels 16 and 17 along fold lines 23 and 24 respectively. This applications of glue to a surface of flaps 28 and 22 and to the inner surface of medial partition panel 11 constitute means whereby the partition structure as shown in FIG. 3 is affixed within the carton as represented by FIG. 1. When assembled in the carrier as shown in FIG. 1, panel 11 constitutes a medial partition element and panels 16 and 17 are transverse partition elements defining three cells on each side of the handle 9.

From the blank shown in FIG. 2, it is apparent that a eutaway area generally designated by the numeral 25 is disposed between outwardly extending projections 20 and 14 while a similar cutaway area generally designated by the numeral 26 is disposed between the outwardly extending projections 14 and 21.

According to the invention the blanks such as are shown in FIG. 2 are cut from a web of material such as is designated in FIG. 4 by the letter W. Of course the web indicated at W could constitute a sheet of material if desired and the term web is deemed to include and to apply to sheet material.

The die arrangement represented by FIG. 4 is such that two different courses of blanks are depicted vertically. Stated otherwise the direction of feed of the web W is indicated as being from right to left as indicated by the arrow 27 and the first course which is cut is designated at BlBIO. The second course of blanks to be cut is designated at 231-2810.

Since one of the objects of the invention is to provide a method of diecutting wherein the first course represented at Bl-BIO may be simultaneously cut and severed from the remaining portion of the web W, it is essential that all of the blanks in each course be interrelated with the remaining blanks and portions of the web so as to prevent an internesting of the cut blanks with another portion of the web which is not fully severed from the web. Toward this end it is apparent with respect to blank B1 that the cutaway area disposed between projections 20 and 14 is filled by the projection 14 of blank B2. This cutaway area is represented in FIG. 2 by the numeral 25. In like fashion, the cutaway area designated by the numeral 26 in FIG. 2 is completely filled by the outwardly extending projection 20 of blank B2. Thus there are no cutaway areas which could serve as an interference with portions of the blank which have been cut. Stated otherwise, blanks B1 and B2 are cut simultaneously according to this invention as are the blanks B2B10 inclusive as in obvious from FIG. 4. Stated otherwise, arrangements wherein projections such as 21, 14 and 20 of blank 2 might nest with projections of two blanks such as B1 and 281 result in an inefficient and difficult diecutting procedure because the internesting of blanks in different courses and the resultant interference with cut portions impedes removal of completely out blanks from portions of the web which are not completely cut and in some instances in order to produce acceptable results with the known prior technique, it has been necessary to add elements to the diecutting operation whereby portions of the cut web are moved in a perpendicular relation relative to the plane of the web. Obviously such added structure and elements result in added complications and the attendant likelihood of failure and of interference with the smooth and efficient diecutting operations achieved by this invention.

From FIG. 4 is is apparent that the blanks are arranged in rows in the direction of feed with the blanks of each row oriented in the same manner. For example, blanks B1 and 2B1 are aligned in a direction from left to right and these two blanks are identically oriented. h. hermore, the associated row of blanks as represented at B2 and 282 are sposed in nested relationship with the row of blanks represented at B1, 281. The next pair of rows however nest with respect to each other but the outwardly extending protrusion of blanks such 1 B3 such as is represented at 15 is disposed in coincidental relation with the inwardly tapered side edge 13A of blank 83 so that edge 13A coincides with the side edg s of flaps 22, transverse partition panel 2ll, and a portion 138 of the top edge of medial partition panel 14.

From FIGv 4 it is apparent that blanks in corresponding rows of alternate pairs of rows are disposed in transverse alignment relative to the web. For example, the glue flaps of the blanks 2B1, 285 and 239 are aligned in a direction transverse to the direction of feed ofthe web W as indicated by the arrow 27. In like fashion, the glue flaps 23 of blanks 2B2, 2B6, and 2810 are in transverse alignment with each other as are the glue flaps 22 of blanks 2B3, 2B7. Likewise glue flaps 28 of 234 and 2B8 are in transverse alignment with each other.

According to a feature of the invention certain areas of the web W are struck out of the web and aid in facilitating the quick separation of the blanks disposed in one course from the blanks disposed in an adjacent course. In FIG. 4, these areas are designated by crosshatching as is obvious from an inspection of FIG. 4.

The embodiments of the invention in which I claim an exclusive property or privilege are defined as follows:

1. A method of diecutting blanks from a web of material wherein each blank includes a plurality of projections along one side edge having intermediate cutaway areas therebetween and an outwardly extending protrusion on the opposite side edge arranged between inwardly tapered end parts of said opposite side edge, the method comprising arranging the die so as to cut the blanks from the web in rows valigned in the direction of feed of the web with the blanks of each row in the same orientation and with the rows disposed in oppositely facing pairs, each blank of each row having its side projections nested with the side projections of an adjacent blank in the other row of each pair of rows in such manner that the projections of one blank fill all of the intermediate cutaway areas of the associated nested blank and the blanks of each pair of rows being out of transverse alignment with the blanks of the adjacent pair or rows.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the outwardly extending protrusion of each blank coincides with the inwardly tapered side edge portion of a blank in an adjacent row of another pair of rows.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the blanks of each pair of rows are in transverse alignment with the blanks of the corresponding row in alternate pairs of rows.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least three projections are formed along one side edge of each blank and wherein a transverse course of blanks is simultaneously severed and separated from an adjacent uncut portion of the web. 

1. A method of diecutting blanks from a web of material wherein each blank includes a plurality of projections along one side edge having intermediate cutaway areas therebetween and an outwardly extending protrusion on the opposite side edge arranged between inwardly tapered end parts of said opposite side edge, the method comprising arranging the die so as to cut the blanks from the web in rows aligned in the direction of feed of the web with the blanks of each row in the same orientation and with the rows disposed in oppositely facing pairs, each blank of each row having its side projections nested with the side projections of an adjacent blank in the other row of each pair of rows in such manner that the projections of one blank fill all of the intermediate cutaway areas of the associated nested blank and the blanks of each pair of rows being out of transverse alignment with the blanks of the adjacent pair or rows.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the outwardly extending protrusion of each blank coincides with the inwardly tapered side edge portion of a blank in an adjacent row of another pair of rows.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the blanks of each pair of rows are in transverse alignment with the blanks of the corresponding row in alternate pairs of rows.
 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least three projections are formed along one side edge of each blank and wherein a transverse course of blanks is simultaneously severed and separated from an adjacent uncut portion of the web. 